Matt Discombe

Lincoln’s Chao Phraya Muay Thai fighter Max Skidmore wins in Birmingham

Fighters from a Lincoln Muay Thai academy won bouts in a national martial arts competition on Sunday.

Max Skidmore and James Bowen, from Chao Phraya Muay Thai on George Street, beat opposition from Birmingham and Oxford at Sunday September 30’s Muay Thai Show in Birmingham Tower Ballroom.

Skidmore beat Birmingham K-Star Academy’s Darren Sutton with knee strikes and body kicks, while Bowen maintained his undefeated record against Oxford Martial Arts Academy’s Joe Lewis by using long range kicks and knees to the body.

The 16-man competition, which featured martial arts clubs from across the country, saw Muay Thai fighters take on their Kung Fu and Karate-trained rivals.

Fighters were paired up for one fight each based on their weight division and ability.

The Lincoln club have competed against K-Star Academy in 14 competitions, winning seven times.

Chao Phraya Muay Thai instructor, Leigh Edlin, said: “James and Max have impressed a lot of people with their talent and have added to Lincoln’s continued success in the Muay Thai scene.

“They will now move on to their next opponent and try and develop their record.”

Muay Thai, which originated in Thailand, is a combat sport similar to kickboxing which uses punches, kicks and clinches.

“I think they’re both very talented and are very big prospects. In the event they fought against competitors who were highly decorated in the sport and they both really stood out to the crowd,” added Leigh, a professional Muay Thai boxer in England and Thailand, who has over 23 years of martial arts experience.

“Hopefully this competition has built up their experience and help them as they move through the ranks.”

Photos: John Carty Photography and Benni Eastside

James Bowen against Oxford’s Joe Lewis

Max Skidmore kicks Birmingham’s Darren Sutton

James Bowen is announced the winner

Captain Hook helped to sell extra tickets for Lincoln Drill Hall’s extended run of Peter Pan, which was announced today.

The production, which will now run from Thursday December 13 to Saturday January 5, has been extended by six performances due to high early demand for tickets.

Lincoln Drill Hall staff were helped to sell tickets by Captain Hook, played by actor and TV presenter Alistair Divall, in full costume from 11am today.

The pantomime, made by Jamie Marcus Productions, will include well-known songs and a flying sequence from London to Neverland via Lincoln Drill Hall.

Managing Director Jamie Marcus said: “Im absolutely delighted with our ticket sales. Our sales this year have gone up by up 36% since last Christmas when we put on Snow White.

“I think panto is very popular in Lincoln, and children will go and see panto over anything else.”

He added: “We work with local schools in bringing school children in to see the performance, and at the moment, we’ve sold 95% of these school tickets. It’s wonderful to see the excitement on the children’s faces when they come to the theatre.”

Peter Pan will be played by London actor Robert Rooney, while local actor Chris Hayes will play The Dame.

Other family shows in Lincoln this Christmas include a production of The Wizard of Oz at Lincoln Performing Arts Centre from Friday December 7 to Monday December 24, which will feature graduating students of Lincoln School of Performing Arts.

Lincoln Theatre Royal will also host Dick Whittington as their Christmas 2012 Pantomime, starring comedy duo Cannon and Ball.

Captain Hook actor Alistair Divall poses with Drill Hall director, Simon Hollingworth